Solar panels in Lake County, FL
Compare solar costs, payback and local permit rules across 5 Lake County towns served by Duke Energy, then get free, no-obligation quotes.
Free, no-obligation quotes. Savings vary by home and utility. $0-down offers are leases or loans and are subject to approval.
By the FL Solar Deals Editorial Team · Updated October 2026 · How we research
Quick answer
Is solar worth it in Lake County, FL?
For many homes, yes. With a $200 monthly bill, we estimate a system costs about $23,800 to $24,800 in Lake County and pays for itself in about 12.2 years on an unshaded, south-facing roof, because Duke Energy credits exported solar at the full retail rate.
How does solar compare across Lake County towns?
| Town | Output per kW | Cost | Payback | Median home value | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont | 1,490 kWh | $23,800 | 12.2 yrs | $368,600 | 68% |
| Eustis | 1,480 kWh | $24,800 | 12.2 yrs | $245,400 | 70% |
| Howey-in-the-Hills | 1,480 kWh | $24,800 | 12.2 yrs | $387,200 | 90% |
| Montverde | 1,490 kWh | $23,800 | 12.2 yrs | $523,300 | 82% |
| Tavares | 1,480 kWh | $24,800 | 12.2 yrs | $225,500 | 75% |
Estimates for a cash purchase on an unshaded, south-facing roof. Home values and ownership rates are U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates; n/a means no Census figure was available. How we estimate
What should Lake County homeowners know about solar?
- Duke Energy Florida serves fewer than half of Lake County's electric accounts: about 100,700 of 217,200 in the Public Service Commission's Hurricane Milton report. SECO Energy, a co-op, has about 80,300, and Leesburg and Mount Dora run their own utilities, so check your bill.
- Lake County's Office of Building Services takes permit applications for unincorporated areas through its OPRS online portal, where plans are submitted digitally, and the portal requires a zoning permit before you can finish the building permit application.
- Duke Energy Florida's 2025 report to the Public Service Commission lists about 5,350 customer-owned solar systems on its lines in Lake County, about 540 of them connected in 2025, by our count. See Florida solar by county.
Sources: Florida PSC: Hurricane Milton outage report, Oct. 10, 2024, 3 p.m.; Lake County: Building Services; Lake County: Residential accessory structure permit checklist (Jan. 2024); Florida PSC: Duke Energy Florida interconnection and net metering report for 2025 (Apr. 2026)
What do Lake County towns require for solar?
Permits and zoning rules are set town by town. Highlights from each town's own rules:
- Clermont: Clermont is served by Duke Energy Florida and, in some areas, SECO Energy, a co-op; the city lists both for storm outages, so check your bill before planning solar.
- Eustis: Eustis moved building permits to a new GovWell online portal in May 2025, and new-construction applications pay a $250 plan review fee when submitted.
- Howey-in-the-Hills: In April 2026 Howey-in-the-Hills asked Duke Energy Florida to assess burying the town's power lines. Duke's rough estimate was about $25 million to serve about 1,100 customers; no decision had been reported. SECO Energy also serves nearby areas, so check your bill to confirm your utility.
- Montverde: After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Montverde waived its own application and permit fees for storm repairs and replacements (Resolution 2024-148). SECO Energy, a co-op, also serves some nearby addresses, so check your bill to confirm your utility.
- Tavares: The City of Tavares issues its own building permits by email and takes online payment for permits and fees under $3,000.
Each town page has the full details and sources.
Will solar raise my Lake County property taxes?
No. Under Florida law (s. 193.624), the value a solar system adds to a home isn't counted in its assessed value. If you're unsure whether anything needs to be filed, ask the Lake County Property Appraiser.
Solar equipment is also exempt from Florida sales tax, so it's already left out of the installed price.
How does solar work with Duke Energy in Lake County?
Duke Energy credits the solar you send to the grid as a kWh credit at the full retail rate. Unused credits roll forward for up to 12 months, and anything left at year-end is paid out at only a few cents per kWh, so systems are sized to cover a year of use. Solar can't take a bill below the monthly minimum ($30 at Duke Energy).
See the full Duke Energy solar guide.
Choosing a company? Check each installer's Florida license, compare at least two quotes and run them through our solar quote checker.
Lake County solar FAQ
Which electric utility serves Lake County?
The towns we cover in Lake County are served by Duke Energy, which credits exported solar at the full retail rate under Florida's net metering rule. Some addresses are on a city-owned utility or co-op, so check your bill.
How long does solar take to pay back in Lake County?
For an unshaded home with a $200 monthly bill, we estimate payback of about 12.2 years in Lake County, paying cash with no rebate.
Will solar raise my property taxes in Lake County?
No. Florida law keeps the value that solar adds to a home out of its property tax assessment. Ask the Lake County Property Appraiser if you're unsure whether anything needs to be filed.
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